In the Media

In
what some are calling a historic move, Muslims from across Michigan
signed an agreement this afternoon in a Dearborn Heights mosque that
calls for unity between Sunnis and Shi’ites, the two main sects of
Islam.

“It’s
an unforgettable day in the history of the Muslim community here in
Michigan,” said Imam Mohammad Elahi, head of the Islamic House of
Wisdom, where the signing took place today.

“This
is absolutely needed,” Elahi said. Sunnis and Shi’ites
sometimes have had a rocky relationship. Those strains were amplified
this year with sectarian fighting in Iraq and vandalism that struck
Shi’ite-owned businesses in Dearborn and Detroit. Some Shi’ites
believe Sunnis were behind the attacks, but police and others say
it’s unclear who was behind them.The agreement calls for
Muslims to refrain from the practice of takfir, a part of Islamic law
in which Muslims declare that others are not true Muslims. Some Sunni
Muslims consider Shi’ites not to be true Muslims and attack Shi’ite
beliefs.The agreement will be posted in area mosques and clerics
will be encouraged to spread a message of unity during their sermons
Friday.“We’re going to make a commitment today,” Elahi
said.